New KHMH CEO Takes on Staffing Uncertainty  

As new KHMH CEO Sharine Reyes settles into the job, she’s confronting challenges that stretch far beyond hospital walls. From uncertainty over the future of Cuban doctors and nurses in Belize’s public health system to fierce competition for locally trained nurses from larger economies and the private sector, Reyes is navigating a complex and shifting healthcare landscape. These pressures are raising real questions about staffing stability at the country’s largest hospital. Still, Reyes says she’s confident the government will step in with solutions, as efforts move forward to include KHMH in a national nurse retention strategy aimed at keeping skilled healthcare workers right here at home.

 

Sharine Reyes, CEO, KHMH

“That is very concerning and it should be concerning to all of us as a nation since this affects us nationally. But we have hopes in the government for. They, I know they have a plan in place to address those challenges, so we’re hoping that whatever plan they have in place, that materialize.”

 

Shane Williams

“And of course, that plan for KHMH will also need to focus on retaining nurses. I know the public health system adapted a retention plan recently. What’s the plan for KHMH?”

 

Sharine Reyes

“They did not include KHMH at first, but since discussion and concerns around that has been tabled. They have decided to include us. So they’ve asked us for our numbers as it relates to nurses and for us to give them a financial value or to add it up financially to see how best they can assist us and did show their support in aiding us in that area.”

 

Reyes says in addition to tackling the unprecedented challenges before her, her goal over the next few weeks is to highlight the many trailblazing initiatives happening at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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